What are the Similarities and Differences Between a Racial Group and Essay

What are the Similarities and Differences Between a Racial Group and an Ethnic Group - Essay Example The only conspicuous differences that appear to the naked eye are due to the differences between males and females. Broadly speaking, the entire animal kingdom is very homogenous. Biologists who refute the claim that races are based on morphological features claim that the assumption that human races are based on anatomical traits is false. They claim that anatomical traits do not cluster distinct groups of people. It is further explained that some human races appear the way they do because of the natural environment surrounding them. for instance, in areas near the tropical latitudes, there are people with darker skin color to protect them from sun’s harmful ultraviolet radiation. Thus, the dark brown skin color is primarily found amongst the Africans and the Indian subcontinent. However, the popularly held belief is otherwise. As it, goes-Racial groups are thus based on the biological classification of people. This classification could be according to human features, skin co lor or other morphological features. One is automatically classified by virtue of external forces into a racial group. One does not have any control over the racial group that becomes one’s identity. Racial groupings and concept of race have been a very controversial topic because of its ability to influence the social hierarchy of the society. Ethnicity on the other hand also incorporates the social characteristics of an individual within the society that he lives in. Some of the social characteristics that are a premise of ethnic classification include one’s language, culture, religion, tradition, tribe, and nationality. The race is externally assigned by the people around us. However, ethnicity is not externally assigned to other people. Ethnicity is the onus of an individual; however, he wants to go about it. It is apparently a conglomeration of humans who have similar cultural characters and follow the same religious faith.